So sorry about the cliffhanger at the end of the last chapter, I tried to write this as fast as I could but it took a while for it to start flowing. I just wanted to say a great big thank you for the reviews you make me want to write and write and you get the idea... I hope you enjoy this chapter!

Damon POV

I was furious. I was beyond angry. Elena ran. Again. I began to think that that is all she does. I can acknowledge the fact that it was partly my fault but maybe my hatred towards her would have been smaller if she at least tried to fight. But no. Instead, she just gave up and drove home.

"Could you pass me the salt babe?" I asked Rose, she passed me the glass container with a small smile.

There was a small chatter filling the room, but most people's attention was on the italian dish that I have prepared to ease my anger after Elena left. Cooking was always something I pursued when I was stressed or angry. It calmed me.

Mason muttered a quick apology when his phone started to ring. He took out his mobile and answered the call.

Just as I lifted my glass, his anxious voice filled the room.

"What happened? Where is she?"

All my anger was shattered with those two sentences. Whatever happened between me and Elena was put away for the time being - All I could think about is her well being. "I will be there in a second"

"Mason what happened?" My eyes snapped to Caroline who was frantically looking for answers.

Mason opened his mouth and then closed it a few times before actually muttering a response, "I's Elena. There has been an accident."

Everything from then on was a blur, I worked on autopilot as I offered to take Caroline up to the hospital and we drove in silence, both enveloped in too much fear to have the courage to say anything.

Elena POV

"Just a few more pushes Elena, you can do this baby!" Damon encouraged me, while i squeezed his hand. We were seconds from welcoming our baby girl.

I've been in labour for over 12 hours, i was more than ready to get our baby out into this world, so i pushed once more. A beautiful scream enveloped my ears, erasing the stress in the room.

"It's a girl!" The doctors shouted, "Daddy would you like to cut the chord?"

The doctor instructed Damon on what to do before our little girl was taken away to be cleaned and checked. I finally tore my eyes away from the baby and to my husband. His gorgeous eyes were brimmed with tears and a joyful smile graced his lips. I could see the adoration in his eyes, the praise, the respect because I had the strength to bring our baby into this world. He took my hands in his and brought them to his lips before pressing a gentle kiss on my palm.

A few minutes later, the doctor put a pink blanket wrapped baby, onto my chest. Tears flowed through my eyes as appraised my daughter. Her body was tiny and her bright blue eyes locked with mine.

"She is perfect." I whispered.

"She is beautiful." Damon added.

Suddenly, the whole image disappeared and I was once more enveloped in the darkness. It was only a dream, a beautiful one at that, just like the past 3 that I have had since I fell asleep. I don't know what happened or why I can't wake up, i cannot remember, but I am not scared. I'm comfortable in this alternate universe where I can feel a part of this idealistic world. It was better than reality.

Damon POV

The doctor stopped me and Caroline at the door to the emergency section, "Are you family?" She questioned.

"No. But we are close friends." I admitted, the statement was a white lie bearing in mind that Elena is in this accident because of me.

"In sorry but I can't let you through." She gave us an apologetic smile before continuing with her work.

So we were left to wait. Eventually, more of our friends flooded the hallway, everyone waiting for news from Mason or Elena's parents who arrived soon after us.

Step. Step. Turn. Step. Step. Turn. Step. St- Caroline's pacing was interrupted by the emergency door opening. Mason stepped out into the hallway, he didn't need anyone to speak to know we wanted answers.

"She is in a serious condition. For now they think she is stable but they are keeping her in a pharmacological coma. When she hit the tree, the air bag never came out. Her chest hit the steering wheel causing a collapsed lung and few broken ribs. They put a tube into her chest to drain the lung and enable her to breathe." He paused before continuing, " that isn't the worst, her head also connected with the wheel. The doctors can't really asses the damage to her brain until she wakes up, but she could suffer from memory loss." For a minute I pitied Mason, then I remembered he is with elena and my empathy was gone. I was deflecting thinking about what Mason just said. She could die because of me. I wish I was in there instead of her. It was my fault but no one was blaming me, they blamed her job. I couldn't take it anymore.

"Klaus. Do you want to get some drinks with me?"

"Sure mate." So we walked down the white hallways until we reached a small cafeteria that smelled of awfully brewed coffee. "What's up? You seem really off."

"Of course I'm off. My ex fiancé could die." I tried to blame my discomfort on something else but Klaus knows me too well to take my bullshit.

"Come on Damon. Don't bottle it up, it's okay if you care." He comforted.

"It's not about that. She is in there because of me." My friend's brows knitted together as he processed the information.

"Man you didn't do something to her car did you?"

"God no! We had an argument so she wanted to leave. If only I let it ho she wouldn't be here." I leaned on the wall suddenly feeling like I can't stand by myself.

"No." He shook his head, "you don't take the blame for that Damon. Whatever happens, it isn't your fault. If the car worked fine she wouldn't be in this situation."

"Stop making me feel better. I want to feel guilty. It's my fault." I sneered. But Klaus wasn't having it.

"You aren't responsible for her anymore Damon! You're not her fiancé, boyfriend, fuck, you aren't even her friend. There is no need for you to take responsibility for her actions. She left. She knew there was a storm coming. You had no part in this. " He shouted, making my eyes open wide. I finally understood that I shouldn't care. She left and didn't care about me. We aren't together anymore. Why should I care about her?

I still couldn't leave. I'm not sure why, maybe it was the guilt maybe it was something else.. Whatever it was, I couldn't bring myself to walk out of here.

At around 12am, most people started to fade out of the hallway back to their homes. Only Mason, Caroline and I stayed behind.

I managed to avoid any distressing conversations with Mason who looked worse for wear. Rose stayed back at the lake house to pack our stuff, she should come around in the morning to bring my stuff around.

I am not sure why she is so accepting of me being here. I thought she would at least try to put up a fight but all she did was help, it surprised me.

"I have enough of waiting. She has to wake up." Caroline broke the silence.

"Yeah, she does." Mason added.

An Idea formed in my mind, it was risky but worth trying.

"I will go see her." I confidently spoke up, rising from my seat. Mason's head snapped up.

"No way, I'm sure you are the last she would want to see right now." He snarled.

"Oh really? Because your presence clearly didn't help her wake up." I argued. Throughout the conversation we moved so that we stood right opposite each other, our chests heaving with anger.

"She left for a reason. She hates you. Leave her alone." Mason said, shoving my chest.

Red flashed before my eyes. Luckily, Caroline grabbed my shoulder to prevent me from doing anything stupid.

"Mason get yourself together, think this through. It might work." She dropped her hand from my shoulder and stepped towards Mason. "I know it must be hard for you but Elena and Damon were best friends. If anyone can bring some sense to her it will be him, just forget about the last few years for 5 minutes. We need to try anything. " she reasoned with Mason, who after a few moments finally agreed.

We walked through the doors of the hospital room, I walked towards the bed, taking in Elena's bandaged form. There were a few tubes running in and out of her body, a white bandage wrapped around her forehead and her soft expression looking as if she was asleep. While I did this I sensed Mason still lingering around the door.

"Are you planning on leaving me alone for a few moments?' I sarcastically asked.

"What is there to say that you can't day in front of me?" He shot back with narrowed eyes.

Then Caroline stepped in, "Mason..." She warned.

He sighed in defeat and before leaving muttered, "5 minutes."

The door shut closed and I found myself emptied from the confidence I was fuelled by before. I pulled the grey chair closer to the bed and took a seat. Hesitantly, i brought my hand to Elena's and shut my eyes closed. I took another deep breath and with a renewed sense of confidence started to speak.

"Elena, stop being so stubborn. The doctor said you should've woken up at least 4 hours ago. If this is your punishment for what I said then I take it back. Just wake up. You can't die. Hell Lena, you haven't given me the answer to the most important question. You can't just leave me without answers. Wake up. Please." I didn't realise that my fingers started to trace circles in her palm, "Everyone is so worried about you. Come back, whatever is keeping you asleep can't be better than your family. They love you. Wake up Lena." With that I brought her hand to my lips and placed a soft kiss on her delicate skin.

Two hours later, she was still sleeping.

Elena POV

My eye lids fluttered open. Bright light was filling the room and I could hear a regular beep in the background.

I took a deep breath and winced as a deep pain ripped through my chest. At that moment I also became aware of the pounding headache tormenting my head.

With confusion I turned my head to the right to reveal a set of hospital machines and a sleeping.. Mason?

"Mason?" I said confused.

His body jolted awake, "you're awake! Oh my God Elena we were so worried, how are you feeling?" He fussed over me as I tried to piece together what happened. It clicked.

"Oh my.. The accident. Where's Damon?" I whispered.

"What?" Mason gazed at me in hurt.

"Where is he?"

"He is in the hallway." He replied.

"I need to speak with him."

I waited while Mason went to get Damon for me. I can't believe what I did.

As he stepped into the room I broke into tears.

"I am so sorry Damon. I was just... I couldn't deal with it anymore.. I am so sorry." I sobbed.

His brow furrowed together in confusion while he crossed the room.

"You shouldn't apologise, I was the reason why we fought in the first place. You wouldn't have left the lake house if I didn't get you angry." He confirmed.

"The lake house? What are you talking about? I was leaving Mystic Falls. I was in an accident as I left.. I .. I left you a letter.." My voice decreased into a whisper and as I spoke his eyes widened in understanding.

"Elena.. It's December 2015." He said gravely and everything in my mind fell apart.

"What?" Was all I could say.